Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Alternative Method of Removing Otoliths from Sturgeon
Published on: June 27, 2016
[Effectiveness of otolith strontium marking for juvenile Cyprinus carpio.]
Chen Qiu1,2, Tao Jiang2, Xiu Bao Chen2
1College of Wuxi Fisheries, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of SrCl2·6H2O to mark otoliths of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The carp fish were immersed with four concentrations of the Sr compound (i.e., 0, 4, 8, 12 mg·L-1) for 2 d to determine the essential concentration for immersing. Then, the carp fish were immersed in 8 mg·L-1 of the Sr compound for five different immersing times (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 d) to establish the essential immersing time. Results from electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) showed that otolith Sr marks were very obvious in all C. carpio fish of the aforementioned Sr immersed group with high ratio of Sr/Ca concentration and red color (high Sr level) ring map, compared to the control group with low ratio of Sr/Ca concentration and basic blue color (low Sr level) map. We obtained a 100% mark-success rate of otolith Sr marking in juvenile C. carpio. No significant difference were observed on the average body length, mass and mortality between the immersed group and the control group, suggesting that Sr marking had no negative impact on fish. As clear and complete otolith Sr marked rings occurred at concentration of 8 mg·L-1 or more, and immersing time of 2 d or more for the Sr compound, 8 mg·L-1 and 2 d were suggested as the essential immersing Sr concentration and immersing time, respectively. Our results demonstrated the strong feasibility of otolith Sr marking for juvenile C. carpio.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Markings
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...
Design Example: Marking Boundaries of a Site Using a Compass
Buffer Effectiveness
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
Framing Effects
Biological Effects of Radiation
Self-Awareness and Its Effects

